This year, for the first time in our country’s history, more than 100,000 Americans overdosed and died. That's more than 100,000 families who will suffer this holiday season without their loved one at the dinner table. In my opinion, it is the greatest tragedy of our generation.
When you have an addict in your family, many days are filled with dread. But the holidays bring a new depth of sadness and anxiety that can be very tough for the family. The holidays bring such mixed feelings – glad this no longer young man is still alive and frustration that he is still immersed in the opioid epidemic. At least he is alive.
The family hasn’t seen him in a decade. We know of the arrests, and jail time, as well as the enablers with whom he currently lives. His mom is raising his two kids as the courts have long since severed his parental rights. Same with their addicted biological mother.
This is America’s other pandemic. Thought it needed exposure here.